Self-fulfillment has always been a goal for the youth throughout time, but now it has become more urgent with the intense competition in a rapidly developing market and fast-paced life. This is where the field of “self-development” has gained popularity. However, few in our world have noticed that the Qur'an is the divine beacon from which humanity has derived the purification of the self and the true path to happiness—not the fake or temporary kind—but a concept that connects the individual with the community and the universe, beginning in this world and leading to the Hereafter.
We do not oppose the human development field when it helps organize the understanding of the ethics of self-building and civilization. But we must not overlook that Western progress has mostly been on a material level, and it may surprise you, while fascinated by it, to see it supporting deviant, atheistic, and Zionist values!
In the shade of the divine wisdom that never dries, we seek in the following lines to pause briefly before some examples of self-purification in the Holy Qur'an.
From the Heart to the Body
Islamic philosophy is based on the idea that the heart is the ruler of the body’s actions. For this reason, scholars have defined the righteous and diseased states of the heart. Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, used to say, “The actions of the heart are the foundation, and the actions of the limbs are secondary and complementary. The intention is like the soul, and the action is like the body, which is lifeless without the soul.”
On this basis, Papachia Vukzar, an American writer and preacher, says that the Qur'anic concept of purification, or cleansing the heart, precedes much of what is taught in human development sciences. When the heart, that small organ, is righteous, all actions become righteous, and if it is corrupt, all actions become corrupt, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) informed us.
Vukzar emphasizes that we should draw from the Qur'an those qualities possessed by the devout servants of Allah. They are monotheistic, they fear their Lord and strive to avoid His wrath. They reflect on His creation, fostering harmony and certainty within themselves. They are worshippers, cleansers of themselves, grateful for blessings, kind to themselves and others, just in their dealings, and they rely on their Lord after taking the necessary steps. They avoid competition over trivial matters that stem from the diseases of modern life, such as striving over worldly gains. How different are these principles of happiness from those outlined in human development books? They certainly surpass them!
Do Not Follow Your Whims
In his important book, “Morality in the Qur'an,” Dr. Abdullah Draz affirms several Qur'anic principles, including the encouragement to rise above the desires of the self without thoughtless indulgence. For instance, Allah says, “And do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah.” (Saad: 26) Here, the individual is required to engage their intellect and conscience in everything around them. This is the essence of ethics, which prevents a person from falling into degradation through fleeting pleasures. However, this is fundamentally based on the inner nature that Allah has instilled in us to feel goodness, as He says, “And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it. And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness.” (Ash-Shams: 7-8) Moreover, He endowed the soul with moral insight: “Rather, man, against himself, will be a witness. Even if he presents his excuses.” (Al-Qiyama: 14-15)
Thus, we are presented with wisdom: “But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination. Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge.” (An-Naziat: 40-41) The Qur'an links us again with the ultimate goal after life, which is to stay in Jannah’s pleasures in the Hereafter.
In this world, we witness how business leaders and famous personalities have fallen into ruin and ended their lives in a miserable state because they indulged too much in temptations and desires.
Benevolence to Oneself and the World
The Qur'an and the purified Sunnah teach us not to live as isolated individuals but as brothers. We must not allow our parents to be consumed by loneliness and neglect, for the Qur'an places kindness to them immediately after the worship of Allah. It teaches us not to neglect the rights of orphans and the poor, instilling in us a tender and a compassionate heart that contemplates the universe and is kind to the creation.
The Qur'an teaches us not to live as an isolated nation but to interact with other nations. It emphasizes human solidarity on all levels, and its benefit to the soul first before others. Allah says, “Say, 'Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it'” (Al-Baqarah: 215)
Ethically, the Qur'an teaches us how to be truthful in our speech, which is a virtue of moral courage that builds trust. Allah says, “Allah will say, 'This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness." For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever.” (Al-Ma'idah: 119)
In the Qur'an, we learn not to distinguish between people except by the piety in their hearts and to choose the best words when speaking. If someone offends us, the Qur'an teaches us how to control our emotions. Consider Allah's words: “And who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.” (Aal-Imran: 134) This ability to forgive is a key to happiness.
The Qur'an also teaches us to have a spirit that appreciates blessings, feels them, and does not despair of Allah's mercy in times of distress and hardship. Our Lord says, “And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'” (Ibrahim: 7)
Dedication in Learning and Work
In every human development book, you will see a central value of perseverance and continuous learning. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to ask Allah for the best of knowledge and the best of deeds. The Qur'an also explicitly encourages the pursuit of knowledge: “Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.” (Al-Mujadilah: 11)
Dr. Kifah Abu Hanoud, in her book “The Jurisprudence of Human Development in the Qur'an,” states: The Qur'an contains the secret to human development and presents a comprehensive system for shaping the heart, mind, and behavior. Do you realize that before the revelation of the Qur'an, we were on the fringes of civilizations? With each revelation, the Qur'an was tailoring new garments for the Companions and weaving their souls with light. It removed from them the garments of the first ignorance with every surah recited. The Companions absorbed the Qur'an into their hearts until they breathed it into their conduct.
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